The PGA Tour of Australasia has arrived in its most exotic location, Noumea, New Caledonia for the South Pacific Golf Open Championship.

To be played at the Tina Golf Course from the 26 - 29 September, 63 Australian and New Zealand Touring Professionals will tee it up alongside five local Professionals and 24 amateurs from the golf club.
 
The South Pacific Golf Open Championship starts the summer of golf for the PGA Tour of Australasia with the Tina Golf Course providing a challenge for the Professionals on the course, whilst Noumea offers many attractions off the course.
 
"We are pleased to be heading to New Caledonia again in 2012, it is always an excellent week of golf for our Professionals, being so close to Australia and scheduled in the school holidays it also allows the players to bring their families for the week," said Simon Butterly, General Manager of the Tournament Division for the PGA of Australia.
 
Known for its crystal-clear waters, exceptional marine life and water sports, Noumea has many activities to entertain the Professional's families whilst they compete to become the 2012 South Pacific Golf Open Champion.
 
Away from the water one of the most popular leisure pursuits for tourists in New Caledonia is golf. With three 18 hole golf courses; Tina Golf Course, Dumbea Golf Course and Paillotes de la Ouenghi Golf Course it provides the golfing tourist with a diverse range of holes to test their skills.
 
Tina Golf Course is a par 72, 5600 metre course. Featuring contrasting landscapes from the mountains to the lagoon and mangroves it will provide the Tour Professionals in the field this week with a challenge yet it also caters for the weekend golfer.
 
Through hosting a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament, awareness of the region (located only a one hour 40 minute flight from Brisbane) as a golfing destination is growing amongst golfers.
 
"Having the Tour in Noumea is really helping us push the region as a golfing destination, golf fans back in Australia and New Zealand following the tournament are being exposed to the golfing possibilities that we have to offer," said Patrick Koch, Tournament Promoter for the Championship.
 
"We anticipate that thanks to this tournament and other marketing efforts we will start to see more international tourist heading to New Caledonia for their golfing holiday rather than more traditionally popular golf destinations."
 
The tournament will also provide the local amateurs in the field, many of them young up and coming golfers aspiring to turn Professional, and the crowds in attendance a firsthand look at the quality of golf played by the elite Professionals.
 
"Golf is growing in popularity amongst people living in New Caledonia so by having the Tour visit Noumea it allows our local players the chance to see the Professionals in action and learn from them. This is an opportunity that previously they would not have had unless they travelled outside of New Caledonia," added Koch.
 
This is the second year the South Pacific Golf Open Championship will be played on the PGA Tour of Australasia, having grown substantially since its humble beginnings as a pro-am on the NSW/ACT Pro-Am Circuit.
 
The winner of the South Pacific Golf Open Championship will earn a spot into the season's biggest tournaments; the Perth International, Australian Masters, BMW New Zealand Open, Emirates Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, as well as Official World Golf Ranking points and the champion's share of the AUD$120,000 prizepurse.
 
The PGA Tour of Australasia is the elite tournament destination for Professional golf in the Australasian region staging many world class tournaments and attracting some of the world's best golfers.

What the players said about the South Pacific Golf Open Championship and New Caledonia...
 
"I have always enjoyed playing golf on the islands and I think it has a lot to do with a relaxed atmosphere.  It is hard not to be relaxed given the spectacular views out on the golf course with plenty of holes going right along the water." Matthew Griffin, 2011 South Pacific Golf Open champion.
 
"It's a great holiday destination and it's so close to Australia. It's easily the best course we play in the South Pacific so it's fun playing there," said Andre Stolz, former PGA TOUR winner.
 
"The hospitality from the locals last year was fantastic and it was one of the most enjoyable weeks I had on tour last year. As far as the course goes it has some spectacular holes with great views as well as being an enjoyable golf course to play." Anthony Summers, 2012 US Open Championship qualifier. 

ENDS
 
For further information please contact: Olivia McMillan, Communications Coordinator, PGA of Australia, 0425 702 153 or omcmillan@pga.org.au